New Regulation to Subject Owners of Illegal Structures with Fines

Those who own illegal structures in Shenzhen will be subjected to fines of 50,000 yuan for stopping law enforcement officers from conducting inspections based on the new regulations taking effect in March. The new regulation is intended to assist law enforcers that face verbal or physical opposition from property owners when trying to enter illegal structures to conduct measurements and inspections.

A director for the Shenzhen land supervision department said that they usually encounter difficulties in doing inspections since most of the land owners are rich and powerful and by implementing such regulation might deter such people in doing harm and improve awareness of the law. The new regulation also reduces the legal proceedings that are necessary for these law enforcers in dismantling parts of illegal structures that were built hastily after owners received notices from authorities ordering the stoppage of construction.

The regulation is not considered as an administrative punishment or an enforcement measure, but a necessary measure that will eliminate illegal construction at the initial stage. Usually it takes authorities several months to a year in completing procedures that are necessary in dismantling these structures. The new regulation also authorizes enforcement agencies in restricting registrations, mortgages and transfer of these illegally built structures. The owners of these structures will be the one responsible for the cost of demolition as well.